The first clinical research effort under this initiative is a pilot randomized controlled trial comparing intra-periarticular lumbar facet platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection to standard-of-care medial branch radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for chronic lumbar facet-mediated pain.
The study is designed to:
* Use contemporary best-practice techniques for both treatment arms
* Minimize incremental risk beyond standard care
* Generate feasibility, safety, and preliminary comparative effectiveness data
* Inform future definitive trials and potential program expansion